Meet Ellie Brooks, a professional Surfer with a big love of good food. Ellie leads a busy life, fitting in multiple training sessions daily, travelling, competing and even studying! Growing up on the Gold Coast, Ellie’s love for the ocean began at a young age and has led to her pro-surfing career, where she is now on team Roxy and competing in international comps, and killing it! We asked her all about how she, a professional athlete, fuels her body for those crazy days!
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- Tell us a little bit about yourself – who you are and what you do?
I am a professional surfer born and bread on the Gold Coast, Australia. I am currently competing internationally on the World Qualifying Series with the end goal of making the world surfing tour. I have a huge passion for health & wellness and believe in taking a holistic approach to professional sport. I am also studying business management at university part time.
- What was the ‘uh ha’ moment that inspired you to get in to health and wellbeing?
A few years ago I travelled to China for a competition and managed to get severe food poisoning a few days in. I remained ill for quite some time after. I had some blood tests done and ended up with glandular fever. I went to my naturopath for advice and she recommended no gluten or dairy. I eliminated it straight away from my diet and added a few herb supplements to help speed up the process of my recovery. I noticed a huge difference in my health, lifestyle, wellbeing and athletic performance.
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- Talk us through a typical day in your life.
Due to my sport/lifestyle my days can vary as I travel a lot. Most mornings I wake up early (around 5-5.30am) and start my day with a glass of warm water mixed with the juice of half a lemon and a tsp of apple cider vinegar.
Prior to my 6am surf training down at the beach I have half a papaya with a squeeze of lime juice or a blue dinosaur bar with my morning coffee – a long black with a dash of coco milk.
At 8.30/9am I usually have a green smoothie with my Bare Blends plant protein and either coconut oil or nut butter to fill me up or a smoothie bowl with home made granola when I am looking for something more sustaining. I love eggs or half a banana mashed on gluten free Sol toast too.
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11am – I head to the gym for surf specific, metabolic / movement training.
Lunch is usually a big green / veggie salad with quinoa. I love to add pumpkin, massaged kale, tomatoes, beetroot, coriander, broccoli with tuna, or a homemade roast chicken and a tahini dressing.
Then I usually catch up on emails, social media duties and uni assignments.
For a snack I love protein balls, veggie chips or celery and carrots with hummus.
I usually surf in the afternoon again or fit in a pilates class depending on my body is feeling.
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Dinner: Lean protein of some form, with lots of green veggies or a salad. I love to have an early dinner so I can let my food settle and digest before bed.
- Coffee or tea?
Coffee! Long black with a dash of coconut milk.
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- What is your indulgence of choice?
Coco whip, Cobs sweet and salty popcorn, Food For Thought kombucha or a gluten-free, dairy-free muffin!
- Three foods you can’t live without?
Papaya, coconut in any form, avocado and my Bare Blends Bare Greens supplement.
- What’s your go-to snack for those days on the run?
Protein ball, smoothie or rice cakes and avocado.
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- … And any last words of advice or tips for those starting out on their health journey?
Listen to your body and have a positive mind frame/healthy relationship with the food you eat and to maintain an active lifestyle. I notice a huge difference in the way I feel and my mood when I’m not physically active every day.
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To see more of Ellie follow her on Instagram!
